Just Foreign Policy

7-7-17

There is an apparent split in the foreign policy establishment over diplomacy with Russia to resolve the war in Syria. We want to help the pro-diplomacy faction of the establishment defeat the anti-diplomacy faction of the establishment so we can have less war. Washington Post columnist David Ignatius is a "liberal insider," someone considered "close to the U.S. foreign policy establishment" and he is now advocating for diplomacy with Russia, an “official U.S. adversary”, as the “best path to peace in Syria".

As David Ignatius reported in the Washington Post, the United States and Russia successfully negotiated agreement on a buffer zone and "deconfliction line" in Syria. The agreement allows the United States and its allies to clear the Islamic State’s capital, Raqqa, while Russia and the Syrian government take the city of Deir al-Zour. The agreement on the line keeps the combatants focused on fighting the Islamic State, rather than fighting each other. [1]

Ignatius says the U.S. and Russia should discuss whether this agreement is a model for wider U.S.-Russian cooperation in Syria to defeat the Islamic State, stabilize Syria, and discuss a political future. Working with Russia, Ignatius says, may be the only way to reduce the violence in Syria and create a foundation for a more decentralized nation that can recover from its tragic war. Secretary of State Tillerson and Defense Secretary Mattis favor exploring options with Russia, Ignatius notes. "We see the potential for it," a senior State Department official said. "So far Russia is working in earnest with us on the effort."

Some "hawks" in the National Security Council and Congress don't want to work with Russia, even if that is the only way to reduce the violence in Syria. But the likely alternative to working with Russia in Syria is more violence and more casualties for U.S. troops. A recent academic study attributed Donald Trump's victory in November to communities hit hardest by military casualties and angry about being ignored. [2]